Vermonter earning $300,000 put on Medicaid and can’t get off

Steve Cairns has had enough. The Stowe, Vt., tax preparer has worked 14 years to help clients dutifully pay taxes.

In the past year, however, Cairns learned two of his clients -- through no fault of their own -- are on Medicaid despite earning $300,000 and $90,000, respectively.

The clients, who allowed Cairns to go public with their story but asked not to be identified, didn't seek to be put on Medicaid. Nevertheless, both were told they were eligible, and both were placed on the plan, despite serious reservations.

Moreover, both clients have contacted Vermont Health Connect to get off Medicaid but remain on the plan to this day.

In this interview with Vermont Watchdog, Cairns explains why he couldn't keep quiet any longer. The Stowe resident said he worries the problem could be widespread, and he hopes Vermonters get answers -- especially since Gov. Peter Shumlin is asking businesses to pay a new payroll tax to subsidize Medicaid reimbursements.